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Funding for Cumbrian charity which helps young abuse victims

A charity which helps young people and children affected by sexual or domestic abuse has been given funding to help victims recover.

Abigail Finnegan: ‘Don’t suffer in silence’

The county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes has awarded £10,000 to Safety Net to help pay for an integrated family worker within the service.

The aim of the role is to enable “holistic” solutions for victims, who often face a multitude of practical and emotional problems as a result of being abused.

As well having to deal with the trauma of what has happened to them, many victims face numerous practical problems such as housing and financial uncertainty.

Mr Rhodes said he had been impressed by the charity’s proposal to introduce the role.

He said: “There is a clear need for someone to fulfil this role and importantly, it would help address one of the key targets in my Police and Crime Plan by helping to reduce the harmful and devastating effects sexual and domestic violence has on children, young people and families.”

Safety Net Advice and Support Centre is a specialist integrated family service providing, long-term, trauma focussed, therapy and support to children, young people aged between three and 25 and families who have been affected by rape, sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Abigail Finnegan, the charity chief executive, said: “We are extremely grateful to the commissioner for supporting the development of specialist sexual and domestic violence services in Cumbria this way.

“The effects of crimes such as sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, rape and domestic violence on young people in particular, can be horrific and result in enormous problems both for the individual concerned, and also their family.

The commissioner has also just awarded over £45,000 to local neighbourhood and community groups.

The fund was set up and made available to neighbourhood or community groups whose activities or projects support the commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan.

Charities, voluntary groups and community groups were invited to apply for up to £10,000 to fund projects that may reduce crime and tackle antisocial behaviour.